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It all began with a solitary photograph, arguably the most impactful ever captured of a member of the monarchy.

There stood the Earl of Inverness, arm-in-arm a young woman, while a companion smiled conspiratorially in the backdrop.

Lacking that photograph, captured at a gathering in 2001, few would have credited the assertions of a adolescent who said she was trafficked across the ocean and forced to have cursory intimate contact with a member of the royal family?

A strange, indicative gesture by someone who had publicly stated to have never heard of her, said he could no have had intimate contact with her, and yet handed over millions of his mother's funds to settle a drawn-out court action.

A Long Period of Scandal

Against this backdrop, conversations of the royals acting swiftly to sever ties with Andrew are wide of the mark. This controversy has endured for the majority of 15 years since that picture, and a further snapshot of Andrew strolling congenially with a disgraced financier came to light.

• Hubris: For what duration did his family members, perhaps even his parents, realize that Andrew was so presumptuous?
• Dubious Friendships: They must have realized, if his staff and the authorities were doing their jobs, that he had some deeply disreputable friends given he openly invited them to palaces.
• Financial Extravagance: If the family did not know about his intimate behaviors, they certainly knew about his overspending with taxpayer funds.

Journeys were printed in public records: private aircraft flights from the royal residence to a golf course and back again in time for dining, private flights instead of regular transport, all for the benefit of "the travel enthusiast".

World of Deference

Additionally the presumption which required respect when he appeared in a space or the profound awareness about his royal titles used on his official documents in messages to his associates.

He managed to escape consequences while his mother, who unaccountably spoiled him, was still living. The Queen did at least strip him of official roles and ceremonial ranks in the consequence of his disastrous and, as revealed, untruthful media appearance six years ago.

Recent Developments

Just in the last 14 days that events sped up, following the publication of books giving more grim details of his behavior and that of his connections.

Further disclosures have again highlighted Andrew's thinking that he could get away with deceiving about his relationship with a disgraced individual.

Society (and the press) were far in advance of the monarchy. There was no one of any significance to defend him, a result of all those years of arrogance.

Royal Worries

The more astute family members understood that. The one imperative is to hand down the crown, if not as heretofore at least complete and untarnished.

They have spent the last 190 years trying to overcome the reputation of past sovereigns, demonstrating they are valuable, dutiful and responsive to their subjects.

His actions endangered all that in danger in an age when deference and secrecy is no longer enough.

Consequences

Eventually, the famously uncertain monarch was pushed more. There was no other option. The royal household had lost control of the account.

Currently the removal of titles and the continued and life-long social disgrace that will hurt Andrew most severely.

• Downgrading: Demoted to just Mr Mountbatten-Windsor
• Past Example: The first member to lose his titles in recent history
• Naval Career: Notably hurtful given his duty in the Falklands war

He remains a counsellor of state, in principle able to act for the sovereign, and he is still eighth in line to the throne, but neither of these will truly happen.

Coming Developments

Will people he meets still defer to him? Could they still forget themselves and call him Prince? Will they even say Andrew,

Of course, he is not moving to suburbia, but to the royal family's vast property at Sandringham.

At that location, he will be supplied by the monarch with one of the royal residences and given some form of private allowance.

This differs from his prior accommodation, where he paid a token payment for more than 20 years, and the area is a bit distant, but even so it may not be adequate distance.

Unresolved Issues

Matters remain unresolved. There are still records in the possession of US Congress to be revealed.

• Political Pressure: Might parliament demand more
• Financial Investigation: Or examine the improper use of taxpayer funds
• Legal Possibility: There may even be a criminal probe into his conduct

Perhaps for the time being the institutional damage to the institution is contained. The statement from the institution was clearly that the revocation of honorifics was what the king, and notably other senior royals, desired.

Changed Stance

No more deception that Andrew was doing it voluntarily. And, significantly, the short announcement showed plainly that the institution were supporting the accuser's version of events.

Furthermore, for the first time they eventually showed regard for the survivors: "The measures are judged required, despite the fact that he continues to deny the accusations against him."

Finally it is presumption, self-interest and inactivity that will destroy the monarchy. In his stupidity, personal excess and corruption, Andrew seems never to have learned that reality.